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Hugh Jackman

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Hugh Jackman
Jackman at the X-Men Origins: Wolverine premiere in April 2009
Born
Hugh Michael Jackman
OccupationActor
Years active1994–present
SpouseDeborra-Lee Furness (1996-present)

Hugh Michael Jackman (born October 12, 1968) is an Australian actor/producer who is involved in film, musical theatre, and television. Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as action/superhero, period and romance characters. He is most well known from his roles in the X-Men series, Kate & Leopold, Van Helsing, The Prestige, and Australia. Jackman is also a singer, dancer and actor in stage musicals, and won a Tony Award for his role in The Boy from Oz.

In November 2008, People magazine named Jackman "Sexiest Man Alive."[1]

A three-time host of the Tony Awards, Jackman hosted the 81st Academy Awards on February 22, 2009.[2]

Early life

Jackman was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the youngest of five children of English parents Chris Jackman and Grace Watson, and the second of his siblings to be born in Australia. (He also has a younger half sister.) [3][4] His mother left the family when he was eight years old, and he remained with his accountant father and siblings.[5]

Jackman attended the all-boys Knox Grammar School, where he starred in its production of the musical My Fair Lady in 1985. The following year he spent a gap year working at Uppingham School in England. On his return to Australia he studied at the University of Technology, Sydney, graduating in 1991 with a BA in Communications.[6] After obtaining his BA, Jackman went on in 1991 to complete the one year course "The Journey" at the Actors' Centre in Sydney.[3]

After completing the course he was offered a role on the popular soap opera Neighbours, but turned it down[7] to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts of Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia, from which he graduated in 1994.[8]

Career

Early stage, film, and television work

On stage in Melbourne, Jackman played Gaston in the local Walt Disney production of Beauty and the Beast and Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard. During his stage musical career in Melbourne, he starred in the 1998 Midsumma festival cabaret production Summa Cabaret. He also hosted Melbourne's Carols by Candlelight and Sydney's Carols in the Domain.

Jackman's early film work includes Erskineville Kings and Paperback Hero (1999), while his television work includes Correlli (a 10 part drama series on the ABC and Jackman's first major professional job, devised by Australian actress Denise Roberts and where he also met his future wife, Deborra-Lee Furness), Law of the Land, Halifax f.p., Blue Heelers, and Banjo Paterson's The Man from Snowy River.

International stardom

Oklahoma!

Jackman became known outside of Australia in 1998, when he played the leading role of Curly in the Royal National Theatre's acclaimed stage production of Oklahoma!, in London's West End. The performance earned him an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. He also starred in the 1999 film version of the same stage musical, which has been screened in many countries.

X-Men

In 2000, Jackman was cast as Wolverine in Bryan Singer's X-Men, replacing Dougray Scott. His co-stars include Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Famke Janssen and Anna Paquin. According to a CBS interview in November 2006, Jackman's wife Deborra-Lee Furness told him not to take the role, a comment she later told him she was glad he ignored.

Jackman, at 6' 2",[9] stands nearly a foot taller than Wolverine, who is said in the original comic book to be 5' 3".[10] Hence, the filmmakers were frequently forced to shoot Jackman at unusual angles or only from the waist up to make him appear shorter than he actually is. Jackman was also required to add a great deal of muscle for the role, and in preparing for the fourth film in the series, he bench-pressed over 300 pounds.[11] An instant star upon the film's release, Jackman later reprised his role in 2003's X-Men 2, 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, released May 1st, 2009.

2001

Jackman starred as Leopold, opposite Meg Ryan, in the 2001 romantic comedy film Kate & Leopold, a role for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Jackman plays a Victorian English aristocrat who is accidentally time-traveled to 21st-century Manhattan, where he meets Kate, a cynical advertising executive.

In 2001, Jackman also starred in the action/drama Swordfish, with John Travolta, and Halle Berry. This was the second time Jackman worked with Berry, and the two have worked together twice more in the X-Men movies, making a total of four movies starring Jackman and Berry from 2000 to 2006.

Stage musicals 2002–2006

In 2002, Jackman sang the role of Billy Bigelow in the musical Carousel in a special concert performance at Carnegie Hall.

In 2004, Jackman won the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, for his 2003–2004 Broadway portrayal of Australian songwriter and performer Peter Allen, in the hit musical, The Boy from Oz, which he also performed in Australia in 2006.

In addition, Jackman hosted the Tony Awards in 2003, 2004, and 2005, garnering very positive reviews. His hosting of the 2004 Tony Awards earned him an Emmy Award win for Outstanding Individual Performer in a Variety, Musical or Comedy program in 2005.

Return to film

After 2003's X2: X-Men United, in 2004 Jackman played the title role of vampire hunter Gabriel Van Helsing in the film Van Helsing.

In 2005, Jackman filmed the parts of three different characters in Darren Aronofsky's 2006 science-fiction film The Fountain. As Tommy Creo, a neuroscientist, Jackman plays a man who was torn between his wife, Izzi (Rachel Weisz) who is dying of a brain tumor, and his work at trying to cure her. As Captain Tomas Creo, Jackman plays a Spanish Conquistador in 1532 Seville who is seeking the mythical Tree of Life for his queen, Isabel (also played by Weisz), in order to retain her throne. Captain Tomas is actually a character in the book Izzi is writing called The Fountain. Jackman's third character is the future astronaut, Tom, travelling to a golden nebula in an eco-spacecraft and seeking to be reunited with Izzi. Jackman said The Fountain was his most difficult film thus far, due to the physical and emotional demands of the part.

Also in 2005, Jackman was one of the choices to play James Bond, in 2006's Casino Royale, but eventually lost out to Daniel Craig.[12]

The Prestige

Jackman in 2006

Jackman starred in the 2006 film The Prestige, directed by Christopher Nolan and also starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Andy Serkis and David Bowie. As Robert Angier, Jackman portrayed a magician who built up a rivalry with contemporary Alfred Borden in attempt to 'one up' each other in the art of deception. Jackman stated that his main reason for doing The Prestige was to work with the musician Bowie, who played scientist Nikola Tesla.

He also starred in Woody Allen's 2006 film Scoop, opposite Scarlett Johansson. He rounded out 2006 with two animated films: Happy Feet, directed by George Miller, in which he voiced the part of Memphis, an emperor penguin, and Flushed Away, where Jackman also supplied the voice of a rat named Roddy who ends up being flushed down his Kensington family's toilet into the London sewer system. Flushed Away also starred Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen (the fourth time Jackman has worked with him), Jean Reno, Andy Serkis (the second time Jackman has worked with him, the first being in The Prestige) and Bill Nighy.

In 2007, Jackman produced and guest-starred in the television musical-dramedy series Viva Laughlin, which was canceled by CBS after two episodes. A decision about the remaining episodes already filmed at the time of cancellation has yet to be made. Jackman's 2008 movies included Deception (which he starred in and produced), Uncle Jonny, and Australia.

Australia

In 2008, director Baz Luhrmann cast Jackman to replace Russell Crowe as the male lead in his much-publicized epic film, Australia, which co-stars Nicole Kidman. The movie was released in late November 2008 in Australia and the U.S.

Jackman plays a tough, independent cattle drover, who reluctantly helps an English noblewoman in her quest to save both her philandering husband's Australian cattle station and the (half-caste)mixed-race Aboriginal child she finds there.

Of the movie, Jackman says, "This is pretty much one of those roles that had me pinching myself all the way through the shoot. I got to shoot a big-budget, shamelessly old-fashioned romantic epic set against one of the most turbulent times in my native country's history, while, at the same time, celebrating that country's natural beauty, its people, its cultures.... I'll die a happy man knowing I've got this film on my CV."[13]

Future projects

  • An action drama, Drive, starring Jackman, is currently in production, and is scheduled to be released in 2009.[14]
  • Jackman is also planned to star in a remake of Carousel, scheduled to be released in 2010, in which he will play Billy Bigelow.[15][16]

Production company

In 2005, Jackman joined with longtime assistant John Palermo to form a production company, Seed Productions, whose first project was Viva Laughlin in 2007. Jackman's actress wife Deborra-Lee Furness is also involved in the company, and Palermo had three rings made with an inscription meaning "unity" for himself, Furness, and Jackman.[18] About the trio's collaboration Jackman reports "I'm very lucky in the partners I work with in my life, Deb and John Palermo. It really works. We all have different strengths. I love it. It's very exciting."[19]

Personal life

Jackman married Deborra-Lee Furness April 11th, 1996. They met on Correlli, an Australian television series. Furness had two miscarriages,[20] after which she and Jackman adopted two children, Oscar Maximillian (born May 15, 2000) and Ava Eliot (born July 10, 2005). They currently live in Manhattan, NY.[21]

Jackman personally designed an engagement ring for Furness, and their wedding rings bore the Sanskrit inscription "Om paramar mainamar," translated by Furness as "we dedicate our union to a greater source."[22]

Honours

Other interests

Charity work

As a philanthropist, Jackman is a longtime proponent of microcredit — the extension of very small loans to impoverished prospective entrepreneurs in undeveloped countries. He is a vocal supporter of Muhammad Yunus, microcredit pioneer and the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner.[25][26][27]

Jackman recently narrated a video for the Global Poverty Project. He also narrated the documentary The Burning Season[28] about global warming.

Jackman also supports The Art of Elysium,[29] and the MPTV Fund Foundation,[30] and he and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness are patrons of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute in Australia.

He also used twitter for charity. On April 14, 2009 Jackman posted on his twitter page that he would donate $100,000 to one individual's favorite non profit organization.[31] On April 21, 2009 he revealed his decision to donate $50,000 to Charity:Water and $50,000 to Operation Of Hope.[32]

Sports

Jackman has shown keen interest in a variety of sports. In high school, he played rugby, cricket, took part in high jumping and was on the swimming team.[33] He also enjoys basketball and kayaking[34]

Jackman is a longtime fan and supporter of the Manl Warringah Sea Eagles, a NRL club based in Sydney's north.[35] He sang the national anthem at the 1999 NRL Grand Final.[36]

Hugh also revealed on Sky Sports Soccer A.M that he was a Norwich City F.C Fan.[37]

Jackman can also play the piano,[38] does yoga every day,[39] and has been a member of the School of Practical Philosophy since 1992.[40]

Filmography

Template:Filmography table head ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Notes |- | 1994 | Law of the Land | Charles McCray | 1 episode |- |rowspan="2"|1995 | Correlli | Kevin Jones | Main Role |- | Blue Heelers | Brady Jackson |1 episode |- | 1996 | Snowy River: The McGregor Saga | Duncan Jones |5 episodes |- |rowspan="2"| 1999 | Erskineville Kings | Wace | Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor |- | Paperback Hero | Jack Willis | |- | 2000 | X-Men | Logan/Wolverine | Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama |- |rowspan="3"| 2001 | Kate & Leopold | Leopold | Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |- | Someone Like You | Eddie | |- | Swordfish | Stanley Jobson | |- | 2003 | X2 | Logan/Wolverine | Nominated — Empire Award for Best Actor |- |rowspan="2"| 2004 | Van Helsing | Gabriel Van Helsing | |- | Van Helsing: The London Assignment | Gabriel Van Helsing |(voice) |- | 2004 | Standing Room Only | Roger | |- | 2005 | Stories of Lost Souls | Roger |segment "Standing Room Only" |- |rowspan="6"| 2006 | Happy Feet | Memphis |(voice) |- | Flushed Away | Roddy | (voice) |- | The Prestige | Robert Angier | Nominated — Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor |- | The Fountain | Tomas / Tommy / Tom Creo | Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama |- | Scoop | Peter Lyman | |- | X-Men: The Last Stand | Logan/Wolverine | |- |rowspan="3"| 2008 | Deception | Wyatt Bose | Also Producer |- | Uncle Jonny | Uncle Russell | Tropfest 2008 Finalist Film[41] |- | Australia | The Drover | |- | 2009 | X-Men Origins: Wolverine | Logan/Wolverine | (Also Producer) |}

Other awards and nominations

Awards

Nominations

  • Jackman was chosen as People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive of 2008.[42]
  • In the ABC comedy-drama Scrubs, Dr. Cox mentions his seemingly irrational hatred of Jackman in his infamous rants throughout the series.
  • Punk'd - "Fire in the hole" - On the 7th season of Punk'd Jackman was led to believe that he had accidentally blown up director Brett Ratner's house.[43]
  • In the Season 6, Episode 13 of Will & Grace titled "Ice Cream Balls." The character Jack MacFarland mentions Jackman twice. He says "I'm gonna go see The Boy From Oz. I can't wait to see Hugh Jackman, and his Huge Ackman." Then later in the episode he says "I went to go see the matinee of The Boy from Oz and halfway through the second act I saw Hugh Jackman do this (does dance move with legs). My Move! We're gonna sue, it'll be Jack vs. Jackman"

References

2
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